New research released today by McDonald’s UK reveals the positive impact a multigenerational workforce can deliver.   

McDonald’s has been seeking to understand the value to its restaurant teams and to its customers of having a multi-generational workforce – which they claim, “…spans more than seven decades.”

In a survey of over 32,000 McDonald’s Employees across 381 restaurants analysed by research company Gain Theory, people who work with a cross-section of ages registered a 10 per cent increase in happiness levels compared to those who work with their peer group.

The mutual benefits of a broad range of age groups working side-by-side is also recognised by customers.  In an on-line survey of 1,000 McDonald’s customers, an overwhelming majority (84%) reported that they liked to see a mix of ages in the restaurant team and 60 per cent expected better service as a result. Of those who saw a difference the majority preferred the experience 44 per cent saying it created a good atmosphere in the restaurant.

To explore attitudes among potential future employees, McDonald’s UK also commissioned a census of 5,000 people representing each of the five working generations.  It revealed that adults of all ages are united in wanting to be part of a multigenerational workforce. 

·  The opportunity to work with people of different ages was the top priority for more than half of all respondents (58 per cent).

· This factor was important for older people born between 1900 and 1964 (67 per cent) as well as 16-year olds (57 per cent).

·  70 per cent of people across the generations expect to work with people who have different life experiences and views of the world.

McDonald’s employs a workforce of over 110,000 people in the UK, – from today’s 16-year-olds eligible for part-time work as schools and colleges closed for the summer, through to McDonald’s eldest employee, 91-year-old Bill Dudley.

Kenneth Clarke, now aged 74, works at McDonald’s in Liverpool one day a week as a Maintenance Man. His daughter Anne Marie Mather and grand-daughter Lauren, also work for the company. He commented:

 “I really enjoy working at McDonald’s and have done for all the years I have been there. My favourite part about the job is working with all the young people and interacting with all the lovely customers. They keep me young and give me a good laugh. Working one day a week works really well for me and I am thankful McDonald’s are so flexible with my shifts. I really enjoy working for the same company as Anne Marie and Lauren as it means we continue to have things in common and can give each other tips.”

Shared from The Age and Employment Network